CMS club extends invitation to community

Last year, a new club at the Carthage Middle School exploded in popularity – and it’s not slowing down this year.

Rebecca Haines

Last year, a new club at the Carthage Middle School exploded in popularity – and it’s not slowing down this year.

In February of 2012, Fellowship of Christian Students was offered as a new club for Carthage fifth and sixth graders. It quickly outgrew a provided classroom and moved to the band room with numbers reaching more than 6,400. The group meets Friday morning before school starts, and this year, is hoping the community will become more involved.

“On Aug. 5, we invited area ministers to attend an informational meeting about FCS and I feel that meeting was a great way to get out what we hope to accomplish this year,” said CMS counselor Travis Bolin. “We hope to have more discipleship, invite the community, parents and ministers to come and be a part of the club. Our group is growing, but it’s not about the numbers as much as we hope to reach our students the way we need to.”

With a few changes, Bolin said the quality of the membership should flourish. Since the group is so large, students will break out into “Life Groups,” which will encourage accountability among the students and closer relationships to the Lord. However, the overall club’s routine will not change when it comes to Friday mornings.

“We don’t just get together and have donuts,” Bolin said. “We want to open our doors more because we want our kids to know we care about them; we want to help them. Our community loves our kids and what better way to mentor our kids than with Christ?”

Parents, grandparents, ministers, or anyone who wishes to be a positive influence with the students is welcome to help FCS. To step in, Bolin said all the community needs to do is drop by the school Friday at 6:20 a.m., on the west side of the building.

“So many kids need an elderly friend or role model,” Bolin said. “It’s awesome to see teachers and community members here.”

More Visible ClubSoon, FCS will have banners around the school and T-shirts for the members. Bolin said with the help of the community, these additions help much more than just another club.

“The signs and T-shirts aren’t important, but when you’re in fifth or sixth grade, and you see your club logo, or you’re wearing your club shirt, it makes you feel like you’re a part of something,” Bolin said. “There are kids with broken hearts, and help starts with people who care about them and make time for them. Great things are going to come from this.”